Brian Beckcom

May 01, 2017 | Texas Lawyer

It's not often that you find someone like me (a plaintiff lawyer who regularly sues marine companies on behalf of injured maritime workers) agreeing with anything coming from those companies. But when it comes to attacks on the Jones Act and shadowy corporate groups spreading false propaganda with the sole aim of increasing their own profits, we both find ourselves aligned in support of the Jones Act.

By brian beckcom and kenneth b. fenelon jr.

14 minute read

July 14, 2014 | Texas Lawyer

Effective counter-piracy measures include training crews; creating a citadel on ships to protect crews from hijackers; using armed escorts and/or privately contracted, armed, security personnel; and keeping the vessels' routes hidden from prying eyes by using secure communication methods.

By Brian Beckcom

6 minute read

July 10, 2014 | Texas Lawyer

Effective counter-piracy measures include training crews; creating a citadel on ships to protect crews from hijackers; using armed escorts and/or privately contracted, armed, security personnel; and keeping the vessels' routes hidden from prying eyes by using secure communication methods.

By Brian Beckcom

6 minute read

April 18, 2005 | Texas Lawyer

Maritime practitioners, on the defense and plaintiffs side of the bar, must recognize that the Limitation of Vessel Owner's Liability Act is not as effective as it once was. And given the realities of modern technology and the fact that the original justifications for the LLA have faded away, this trend is likely to continue.

By Brian Beckcom

7 minute read

August 16, 2010 | Texas Lawyer

Eleven workers died in the Deepwater Horizon platform explosion on April 20. Under longstanding admiralty laws, their dependents can recover only pecuniary damages — primarily lost wages — from the companies that may be responsible for the disaster; damages for dependents' pain and suffering are not available. But a bill pending in Congress could change that, bringing maritime law into the 21st century.

By Brian Beckcom

5 minute read